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Tony Díaz and the theatre group Mefisto Teatro in One of the most eagerly awaited Cuban stage productions.
Cabaret was adapted for the stage by David Guerra, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood "Farewell to Berlin" (1939), on which the film Cabaret (1966) of director and dancer Bob Fosse was based.

The presentations began in eastern Cuba, in the city of Bayamo, February 8th through the 10th. Later, the group performed in Manzanillo, Feb. 12th and 13th , and in Santiago de Cuba, Feb. 16th and 17th, to close in Holguín on Feb. 20th.

Cabaret will later travel to the central region to be assessed by the audience in Ciego de Avila, where it will be staged on February 23rd and 24th and later in Cienfuegos on Feb. 27th and 28th.

The premiere of Cabaret in the capital will be, as predicted, on March 27th on the occasion of World Theatre Day at the Sala Alternativa of the Bertold Bretch cultural centre with a huge cast that includes experienced as well as young artists.

The cast is headed by actors Rayssel Cruz and David Guerra himself, who play the part of the master of ceremonies alternately. The female protagonist of this love story, the part of Sally Bowles, is played by three actresses: Gretel Cazón, Araina Begue and Sarahí Viñas. Enrique A. Estévez and Frank Egusquiza play the part of Christopher Isherwood, while the part of the ghost of Marlene Dietritch is played by Alianne Portuondo and Eliécer Águila. Other cast members include, among others, Hedy Villegas, Miriam Martínez, Roberto Salomón, Ramón Ramos, Jorge Luis Curbelo and Alberto González.

Cabaret, an intense love story in the context of pre-war Berlin and told in the poetic language of German expressionism, is one of the most famous titles of contemporary musicals. The Cuban version includes the music of John Kander and the lyrics of David Guerra, based on the original music by Fred Ebb.

For this production, the cast underwent intense training. Choreographer Iván Tenorio staged the dances and Maestro Rey Montesinos carried out the musical arrangement. Also outstanding in recreating the time is the work of Vladimir Cuenca, costumes design and Carlos Repilado, lighting, as well as set designer and makeup artist Ricardo Axel and stage manager Jesús Ruiz.

The play rests not only on the intense drama and conflicts, but also on dances and songs, thus renowned actresses like Gladys Puig and Pura Ortiz had to undergo several months of vocal training, while Lourdes Tamayo and Joyce took dance classes. The cast selection also took into account the actors' physical conditions, since Cabaret requires a cast with great energy, capable of recreating the 1930s in Berlin and the development of Nazism, smashing the bohemian life of artists and the spirituality of the German people.


(www.cubasi.cu)






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